More Than a Meal: How School Meals Can Drive Improved Nutrition and Sustainable Food Systems: Findings from Fill the Nutrient Gap Analysis in Guatemala and Peru

This report presents findings from Fill the Nutrient Gap (FNG) analyses conducted in Guatemala and Peru, assessing how school meal programs can improve child nutrition and diet affordability. Using the WFPs FNG methodology and Enhance software, the analysis models the impact of served meals and take-home rations on the cost and nutritional adequacy of childrens diets. Results show that served school meals can reduce the cost of a nutrient-adequate diet by over 50% and offer greater dietary diversity and micronutrient content than take-home rations. Fortification and supplementation further enhance nutritional outcomes, particularly for adolescent girls. The report underscores the role of school meals as cost-effective, high-impact interventions that support children's health and development across diverse contexts.